Winding machine



Jan. 7, 1947. H. J. mbERMoTT 2,414,054

f WINDING ucnmx Filed Aug. 17," 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a; 3 II- Jan. 1,1947. H. J. mD'ERMoT-r g 2,414,054

WINDING MACHINE Filed Aug. 17, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mymrox Patented Jan, 1,- 1947 WINDING MACHINE 7 Henry J. McDermott, Prospect Park, Pa., assignor to American Viscose Corporation,

'Del., a corporation of Delaware Wilmington.

Application August 17, 1945, Serial No. 611,092

20 Claims; (Cl. 242-462) 1 This invention relates to winding machines and is particularly concerned with an improvement in the winding head which is adapted to receive the foundation core upon 'which the windings of yarn or other material are wrapped. This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 559,493, filed on October 20, 1944, now abandoned.

The nature of the improvement is best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, which areillustrative of the invention, and in which Figure 1 is a transverse cross-section showing the application of. one preferred embodiment of the present invention to astandard form of expansible head, 4

Figure 2 is a side view of the expandable head for receiving the, foundation core upon which the package is to be wound,

Figure 3 shows amodifled form of head, Figure 4 1s a section taken on line IV-IV of Figure 3, t

Figure is a transverse cross-section showing another preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Figure 6. is a side view of the expandable head shown in Figure 5.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a conventional winding machine structure comprising the supporting framework 2, the winding spindle 3 rotatably supported in the bearings 4 and adapted to be driven by means (not shown).

The spindle carries an expandable head or adaptor 5 which is secured thereto by anysuitable means such as set screw 6. The head 5 is partially hollow and comprises a base or skirt I made up of a plurality of fingers 8 separated by slots 9. The fingers 8 each have an inwardly projecting portion Ill forming an annulus within the base of the skirt. A sleeve II which is boththe unexpanded condition as shown. After the foundation core has been inserted to its full extent upon the head 5, the skirt 1 is expanded by swinging the lever l4 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure ,1, such motion bringing the expanding head l3 into engagement with the internally projecting annulus ll, thus causing the fingers 8 to spring outwardly into engagement with the internal surface of the foundation core, the gripping surfaces of the fingers being serrated, if desired, as shown. A traversing guide (not shown) moves to and fro longitudinally of the core to direct the yarn to the winding on the core. After'the winding of the package has been completed, the winding head 5 is released from the foundation core by swinging the lever ll in a clockwise direction. In releasing packages of light weight, it is sunlcient to swing the lever l l only far enough to relieve the expanding pressure of the head I3 against the internal surfaces of the annular 'ridge ll. l -loweve r,-in the caseof extremely heavy packageait is necessary to swing the lever II afurther distance to the right so that the collar l2 strikes the base of the foundation core and shifts it axially relative to the winding head 5.

In. accordance with the present invention a winding head is provided which is adapted to receive the foundation core and which does not even with the heaviest packages, it is unnecessary to strike thebase of the core in order to shift it relative to the head carrying it in order to release it therefrom. In additio there is no necessity to useserrations or other roughened surfaces for gripping the internal surfaces of the foundation core, thereby preventing any roughslidable and rotatable with'respect to the spindle 3 is provided with a grooved collar l2 and the expanding head l3 which is arranged to project into the skirt I of tending hand lever ll pivotally mounted at I! has a projecting lug l6 which extends into the annular groove of collar I2.

As'so far described, the machine represents substantially a conventional form of winding head except that'the head 5 is ordinarily positioned so that its nose is substantially flush with the end of the spindle 8. when using such a conventional set up. the foundation core, such as a paper or-wooden cone, is slipped directly the head 5. An upwardly exening and damaging of this-surface. Furthermore, the present invention provides for uniform expansion of the winding head along the entire length of the core so that there is obtained a firmer grip between the winding head and the. core and there is no possibility of any play therebetween adjacent the nose of the core, thereby eliminating this cause of irregularity in winding.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a winding head H, such as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is provided which has an internal tapered surface it adapted to fit snugly over a tapered member secured to the windingsplndle. Asshown in Figures 1 and 2, the tapered member on the spindle may be simply the conventional winding'head i of the prior art. Apluralityofslotc I! extendfromthebaseof preferably to substantially two-thirds or more of the distance from the base to the nose thereof. Intervenlng slots 20 areprovided and extend from the nose toward the base preferably twothirds Or more of the distance therebetween. Thus, the alternatingslots overlap in the middle zone of the head, thus assuring substantially uniform expansion throughout the'length of the head when it is pressed over a tapered member having an external surface of substantially the same taper as the internal surface l8 of the head II. The head has an inwardly projecting bearing or rib portion 2| which fits slidably over the spindle 3. Preferably, also, spring means 22 firmly presses against the rib 2| so as to force the head I! over the tapered member or tapered head 5. As shown, the spring 22 may back up against the flange 23 of a knob which is held in place on the end of the spindle by the cap screw 25. Preferabhr, a recess is formed in the nose of the head I! to receive the spring assemblage. The adaptor may be provided with a hook 21a to facilitate tail winding operations disclosed and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 545,980, filed July 21, 1944.

In Figures 3 and 4, a modified form of winding head l'la is shown in operative relationship to a winding spindle 3 to which is attached a tapered member 51:. Instead of providing the spindle with a sleeve II as in Figure 1, a grooved collar l2a is rotatably mounted on the spindle so that the lug 18 projects into its groove for manipulation hereinafter described. The expandable member ll of Figures 1 and 2 is applicable as well to the structure shown in Figure 3. However, for purposes of illustration, a modified form of adaptor I (a is shown for the purpose of illustrating the applicability of the invention to the winding of cylindrical packages upon substantially cylindrical foundation cores. Essentially, the adaptor I'Ia differs from that of Figures 1 and 2 in that the external surface is cylindrical to receive a cylindrical core member. As in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 the head Ila is provided with slots Illa and 20a extending from the base and nose respectively. However, to permit springing and expansion of the head, internal recesses 21 are provided adjacent the overlapping portions of the slots I92 and 20a, that is, throughout the intermediate zone of the head. As. shown in Figure 4, these recesses 21 are providedwith intervening inwardly projecting ribs 28. However such ribs may be omitted and a substantially annular recess extending completely around the tapered member to may be provided along the'central or intermediate zone of the head "a. As in Figures 1 and 2, spring means 22 and associated knob 24 are provided to press the head Ila upon the tapered member 5a.

In the embodiments of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, the taper of the tapered member 5 or in is the same as that of the internal surface I 8 of the head II or lla whether such head is adapted to receive a conical or cylindrical form of foundation core. is such that when the head is fit over the tapered member 5 or without expansion of the head,

there is some slight clearance between the nose of the tapered member and the adjacent surface of the inwardly projecting rib 2| to permit forcing of the head over the tapered member to expand the former as itis moved to the limiting position However, the construction in which rib 2| is seated against the nose of the age on the head, the head takes the position just described in the preceding paragraph in which it is not expanded, being held in this position by the spring 22. A foundation core for the winding is inserted over the winding head ll or Ila and as it is being inserted thereon, pressure is brought to bear against the nose of the head to move it axially with respect to the tapered member 5 or 51; thereby expanding the head within the foundation core. If the core happens to be of conical shape, this pressure against the end of the head will generally be applied by the foundation core itself, either by its end wall or by its tapered internal surface. When the core happens to be of cylindrical shape, the pressure may be exerted by an end wall of the cylindrical core or it may be applied by hand when the core has no such end wall. In any event, the relative motion of the head over the tapered member causes it to expand and grip the internal surface of the foundation core. After the winding has been completed, dofllng is effected by pressing the lever It in a clockwise direction. This motion causes the collar [2 or In to strike against the base of the head I? or l'la respectively 'and to move such head in opposition to the course of the spring in such a manner with respect to the tapered member 5 or 5a as to permit contraction of the head. After such contraction to normal size, the package with its foundation core is readily removed from the winding head.

When a conical foundation core is to be used, exclusively, the spring 22 may be of sufficient strength to bring the rib 2| against the nose of the tapered member and thus expand it, the core being subsequently forced over the expanded head l1.

Figures 5 and 6 show another preferred embodiment in which the spindle 3 and the bearing therefor in the housing 2 is similar asin the preceding embodiments. However, the tapered member 5 or 5a of the previous embodiments are replaced by the member 5b which, a shown, has two spaced external tapered bearing portions at 30 and 3|. The member 51) is recessed to receive a spring 32 and a collar 33. The end of the recess nearest the frame 2 also contains a suitable bearing sleeve 34 and a bushing 35. The spring 32 bearsagainst one face of the collar 33 and a shoulder 36 at the base of the recess normally tending to force the tapered member 5b outwardly from the framework 2. The member 5b is also provided with a flange 31 to be engaged by the arm l6 of lever M. The expansible winding head [1b is carried by the spindle and about the tapered member 5b. As in the previous embodiments, the winding head has an internal tapered surface adapted to fit the tapered surfaces 30 and 3| of the member 5b. A set screw 38 secures the winding head l'lb to the spindle 3 to maintain its axial position with respect thereto. This set screw 38 extends through a slot 39 in the tapered member 5b so that the latter is relatively slidablein anaxial direction along the spindle. As compared to the previous embodiments, the expansible winding head is held in by the movement imparted by ever, this shoulder 42 may nam- 1 fixed axial position uponthe spindle and the pansiblewinding head. The expansion is effected spring-l2, whereas contraction is eflected by pulling lever H in a counterclockwise direction as viewed inFigure5.

I'he expansibie head shown in Figure 6 differs tapered member therewithin is relatively slidable y to expand andto allow contraction of the exin the following respects from that in Figure 2:

A shoulder ll is provided to predetermine the axial position of the foundation core shown in dotted lines in Figure 5. The outer end of the winding head may be provided with serrations I l though these are optional. shoulder 42 is shown and cooperates with the serrations II to give spaced portions for gripping the interior surface of the foundation core. Howbe omitted to provide An additional small a gripping action throughout the length of the winding head as in Figure 2.

In manipulating the arrangement of Figures 5 and 6, the operator pulls the lever M in a counterclockwise direction, as viewedin Figure 5, to release a wound package, andwhile holding the lever l4 outwardly, places a fresh foundation core upon the winding head l'lb with its base against the shoulder 40. I'hereupon, lever I4 is released and spring 32 moves the tapered member '51) to the left, as viewed in Figure 5, thereby causing expansion of the winding head to the foundation core. As compared to the previous embodiments, this embodiment has the advantage of more certainly determining the axial position of the foundation core relative to the spindle so that a package is always wound in the same position upon the core. This is true regardless of variations in the dimension of the cores. 4

The winding head of the present invention-may be made of any suitable material, such as plastics, including Bakelite, urea-formaldehyde resins, vinyl polymers and copolymers or metals, such as s eel, aluminum, brass, and the like, provided in all cases that the material has a. natural resilience for restoring the expanded form to the unexpanded condition of the head;

While preferred embodiments have been described, it is to'be understood that such embodi ments are-merely illustrative and that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

, I claim:

1. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member carried by the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increases in the direction toward the bearing an expansible winding head carried by the' spindle and having a tapered internal surface having portions thereof adjacent each end of the head and adapted to fit over the tapered member, the head and spectively.

2. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member carried by the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increases in the direction toward the bearing, a winding head expansible circumferentially substantially throughout its length, said winding head being carried spindle having 'one end by the spindle and having a tapered internal surface having portions thereof adjacent each end of the head and adapted to fit over the apered member, the head and tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween in opposite directions to expand and contract the head respectively.

a 3. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member carried by the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that itsperiphery increases in the direction toward .the bearing, an expansible winding head carried by the spindle and having a tapered internal surface having portions. thereof adjacent each end of the head and adapted to fit over the tapered member, a plurality of slots extending through the-base and longitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a plurality the nose and through the greater part of the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displacedbetween adjacent base slots, the head and tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement there'between in opposite directions to expand and contract the head respectively.

4. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member axially slidably mounted on the spindle and having a, tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increases in the direction toward the bearing, a winding head expansible circumferentially substantially throughout its length, said winding head being mounted in fixed axial position for rotation with the spindle and having a tapered internal surface having portions thereof adjacent each end of the head and adapted to fit over the tapered member, the head and tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween in opposite directions to expand and contract the head respectively.

5, In combination, bearing means, a rotatable thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member axially slidably mounted on the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increases in the direction toward the bearing, a

winding head expansible circumferentially subtapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween in opposite di-' .rections to expand and contract the head recs directions to expand stantially throughout its length, said winding head being mounted in fixed axial position for rotation with the spindle and having a tapered internal surface having portions thereof adjacent each end of the head and adapted to flt over the tapered member, a plurality of slots extending through the base and longitudinally through the greater part of the length ofthe head, and a plurality of slots extending through the nose and through the greater part of the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced between adjacent base slots, the head and --tapered member being arranged to permit relativeaxial displacement therebetween in opposite and contract the head re.- spectively.

, 6. In combination, bearing means, a rotatablespindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member slidably mounted on the spindle and having a tapered external surface in fixed axial position for rotation with the spinof slots extending through die and having atapered internal surface adapted to fit over the tapered member. and means for axially moving the tapered member in opposition to the spring to permit contraction of the head.

7. In combination, bearing means, spindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member slidably mounted on the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increasesin the direction toward the bearing, a recess in the tapered member, a collar in the recess secured to the spindle, spring means extending between the collar and the base of the recess in the tapered member, urging them apart, an expansible winding head carried by the spindle and having a tapered internal surface adapted to fit over the tapered member, means securing the expansible head in fixed axial position to the spindle, the tapered member being slotted to permit passage therethrough of said securing means without interfering with the axial slidable motion of the tapered member, and means for moving the tapered member toward the bearing means in opposition to the spring means;

8. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member fixedly secured on the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged'so that its periphery increases in the direction toward the bearing, a winding head expansible circumferentially substantially throughout its length, said winding head being carried by the spindle and having a tapered internal surface having portions thereof adjacent each end of the head and adapted to fit over the tapered member, the head and tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween in opposite directions to expand'and contract the head respectively.

9. In a winding machine, a winding head having an internal tapered surface extending'to a point near the nose of the head and arranged with its larger internal diameter communicating with an opening in the base of the head, a plurality of slots extending through the base and longitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through the nose and through the greater part of the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced between adjacent base slots.

10. In a winding machine, a winding head hava rotatable ing a conicalexternal surface for receiving a foundation core and having an internal'tapered surface extending to a point near the nose of the head and arranged with its larger internal diameter communicating with an opening in the base of the head, a plurality of slots extending through the base and longitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through the nose and through the greater ,part of thelength of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced between adjacent base slots.

ll, In a winding machine, a winding head adapted to receive a foundation core having an internal tapered surface extending to a point near the nose of the head and arranged with its larger internal diameter communicating with. an opening in the base of the head, a plurality of slots extending through the base and longitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a' plurality of slots extending through the nose and through the greater part of the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced between adjacent base slots, and an annular shoulder on the external periphery of the head adjacent its base to determine the position of the foundation core.

12. In a winding machine, a winding head having a cylindrical external surface for receivin a foundation core and having an internal tapered surface'extending to a point near the nose of the head and arranged with its larger internal diameter communicating with an opening in the base of the head, a plurality of slots extending through the base and longitudinallythrough the greater part 01' the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through the nose and through the greater part of the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced be-- tween adjacent base slots.

13. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member fixedly secured on the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increases in the directiontowardthe bearing, a winding head having a tapered internal surface having portions thereof adjacenteach end of the head and adapted to fit over the tapered member, a plurality of slots extending through the base and longitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through the nose and through the greater part ofv the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced between adjacent base slots, the head and tapered member being'arranged to permit relative axial displacement.

therebetween to force the head further over the member to expand the head.

14. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable the spindle and having 'a tapered external surface arranged so that its peripheryincreases in the direction toward the bearing, a winding head having a tapered internal surface having portions thereof adjacent each end of the head and adapted to fit over the tapered member, a plurality of slots extending through the base and iongitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through the nose and through the greater part of the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced between adjacent base slots, the head and tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween to a predetermined limited extent to force the head further over the member to expand the head. I

15. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having one end thereof projecting from length of the head, the nose slots being circum-v ferentially displaced between adjacent base slots,

the head and tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween to force the head further over themember to expand the head, and spring means arranged to the nose and through the permit relative axial the direction toward the bearing,

Y the head and thereof projecting from the direction toward the bearing, a winding head.

having a tapered internal surface adapted to fit over the tapered member, a plurality of slots extending through the base .and longitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through greater part of the length of the head, the nose slots being, circumferentially displaced between the head and tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween to force the head further over the member to expand the head, and spring means connected to the outermost end of the spindle and arranged to press the head into engagement with the tapered member.

adjacent base slots,.,

17. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having one end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member fixedly secured on the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increases in the direction toward the bearing, a winding head having a tapered internal surface adapted to vfit over the tapered member, a plurality offslots extending through the base and longitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through the. nose and through the greater part of the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced between adjacent base slots, the head and tapered member being arranged to displacement therebetween tofiforce the head further over the member to expand the head, a recess in the nose of the head, a rib projecting internally of the head to form a wall or the recess and having a bore to receive the spindle, spring means connected to the outermost end of the spindle and arranged within the recess to press against the rib whereby the tapered internal surface of the head is resiliently pressed into engagement with the tapered surface or the member.

18. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle havingone end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member fixedly secured on the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increases in a winding head having a tapered internal surface adapted to fit over the tapered member, a plurality of slots extending through the through the greater part or the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through the nose and through the greater part'or the baseand longitudinally .thenose and through recess to press against the rib whereby into engagement with the head further over the length or the head, the nose slots being circumferentially displaced between adjacent base slots, tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween to force the head further over the member to ex-' pand the head, a slidable collar arranged on the face arranged so that its periphery increases'in the direction toward the bearing, a winding head having a tapered internal surface adapted to fit over the taperedmember, a plurality of .slots ex-I- tending through the base and longitudinally through the greater part of the length of the head, and a plurality of slots extending through the greater part or the length of the head, the nose slots being circumferentlally displaced between adjacent base slots, the headand tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween to force the head further over the member to exmind the head, a recess in the nose of the head, a rib projecting internally of the head to form a wall of the recess and having a bore to receive the spindle, spring means connected to the outermost end of the spindle and arranged within the the tapered internal surface of the head is resiliently pressed into engagement with the tapered surface of the member, a slidable collar arrangedon the spindle between the bearing and the tapered member, and means for axially moving the collar place the head toward the small end of the tapered member.

20. In combination, bearing means, a rotatable spindle having the spindle and having a tapered external surface arranged so that its periphery increases in the direction'toward the bearing, an expansible winding head having a tapered internal surface adapted to flt over the tapered member, the'head and tapered member being arranged to permit relative axial displacement therebetween to force member to expand the head,-a slidable collararranged on means for axially moving the collar'into engagement with the base of the head to displace the head toward the small end of. thetapered memthe base of the head to disone end thereof projecting from the bearing means, a member fixedly secured on the spindle batweenthe bearing and the tapered member, and I 

